ENERGY

City to city

Cummins Inc., a global energy leader providing electrical power generation systems and complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service diesel and natural gas engines and related technologies, took to the road on 8 July from Cummins Johannesburg, embarking on a national City to City Tour of South Africa in a highly visible red Cummins Power Truck.

Headquartered locally in Kelvin View, Johannesburg, the power giant headed for Durban, Bloemfontein and Cape Town to demonstrate innovative generator products that supply power solutions to ensure productivity in the workplace and at home.

Cummins, with a vast international footprint that services customers in over 190 countries, has previously used ground breaking methodologies to introduce products to customers. Going on tour to demonstrate innovative products is not new to the company; however, this is an inaugural event for Southern Africa.

Interacting with technology

At each destination customers had the opportunity to interact with the technology on display in the eye-catching bright red 17 running meters of Cummins Power Truck with its entire one side fitted with reinforced glass. The other side of the vehicle posed as a moving billboard making the vehicle an exceptional moving showcase. The truck presented a roving display, beautifully showcasing two highly sought after dependable and reliable Cummins generators, the C90D5 Diesel Generator and the C315N5C Gas Generator. The International 9800I Truck is installed with a state-of-the-art Cummins 475 ISX (475 horse power) engine with a fuel capacity of 900 litres of diesel per tank.

Cummins power generation experts were on hand at the events to network and engage with customers and share technical information and energy solutions available.

“Traversing some 3 600km around the country, one will be hard pressed not to notice this moving showcase of striking delight. Innovation is more than a word at Cummins, it is also a value that we live by. It’s all about unlocking and unleashing new ways of thinking, doing and delivering against a background of continuous improvement. We are constantly considering new ways of reaching our customers in a meaningful and memorable manner. We want Cummins to be the product of choice,” says Kenny Gaynor, Power Generation Director – Cummins Southern Africa. “Our products are world class, and therefore our marketing efforts reflect this,” he said.

Shedding light on reliable and dependable energy solutions

The Cummins range of diesel generators and engines is geared towards providing back-up power systems in small to medium and large applications; engineered to support a host of industries, fuel types and power ratings.

The C90D5 Diesel Generator on display is a commercial generator set which is a fully integrated power generation system, providing performance, reliability, and versatility for stationary standby and prime power duty application. It features a Cummins heavy-duty engine with a rugged 4-cycle industrial diesel which delivers reliable power and fast responses to load changes. The second generator on display, the C315N5C Natural Gas Power Generator is a lean burn gas generator set with a fully integrated power generation system which utilizes state-of-the-art technology to provide optimum performance and efficient use of fuel for standby and continuous duty, CHP and peaking applications. Featuring a Cummins heavy-duty engine with a rugged 4-cycle lean burn gas combustion engine, the generator utilises full authority electronic engine management and monitoring technology. Explains Gaynor, “There are two critical benefits which far outweigh the costs of investing in a back-up power system. Firstly, operations and processes continue seamlessly whether in a manufacturing environment or in a hospital theatre on the operating table. Secondly, critical safety processes depend entirely on the presence of a reliable uninterrupted power supply. When companies and businesses experience power outages these safety processes are compromised, placing employees and members of the public at significant risk. One can imagine the real risks associated with an underground mine that experiences a power outage and the headgear, lift shaft and ventilation systems are unable to operate as a result.”

Contributing to a greener environment

Natural gas powered gensets are a more sustainable solution to industry-standard diesel. Natural gas is a methane-rich, naturally-occurring gas which is more cost-effective than other alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power. Cummins actively innovates and engineers new products; partnering with other technology developers such as solar to create power generation in hybrid platforms that can reduce fuel costs and contribute to a greener and sustainable environment.

According to Gaynor, “Cummins is able to provide a class leading range of both gas and diesel powered generators with individual stand-alone units from 8 kVA to 3750 kVA. Configured and integrated to form multiple unit power plants, our range extends to cater for any home or business application, regardless of site location.”

A complementary solutions provider of energy supply

The company’s business model is to design and supply power systems that complement a country’s national grid and are immediately and automatically available in the event that its supply is interrupted for any reason. Electricity grids’ three critical components need to be up and running simultaneously: Generation, Transmission and Distribution. Gaynor elaborates, “Cummins is able to supply excellent back-up products to ensure continued power supply during challenging conditions. Whilst Cummins products are class-leading in terms of fuel consumption, efficiency and emission control, the cost of back-up power generation pales into insignificance when one considers the impact of power outages on a business or Government institution. Generally, the cost of alternative or complimentary power generation will always be higher than base load Utility power generation. The benefits are clear - uninterrupted power!”

Critical factors to be borne in mind

A key element of power generation systems is the continuous, reliable and ready supply of parts for ongoing maintenance and repairs, making the choice of OEM to supply the generator of critical importance. Cummins products are all backed by a comprehensive warranty with professional support from the Worldwide Dealer Network.

Program line-up in Cape Town

Technical presentations and discussions led by Cummins power generation experts Kenny Gaynor, Warrick Gibbens and Nalen Alwar provided engaging and interesting networking opportunities for customers to learn about the Cummins products, energy solutions, off-the-grid power options and new technologies. A focus on gas technology, various projects and industry applications were effected by Nalen Alwar, Warrick Gibbens and Kenny Gaynor. Master of Ceremonies John Vlismas, South Africa’s popular stand-up comedian and jokester, ensured that the Cummins Power City to City Tour was both memorable and enjoyable.

#SpotTheCumminsTruck competition

A national 'Spot The Cummins Truck' online banner competition on digital news channels and Facebook allowed public engagement and interaction with The Cummins Power City to City Tour. Customers and the public were encouraged to monitor the URL http://media.ngage.co.za/cummins-power-tour-sa for information on the competition. Questions were posted on the web page and answers were tweeted to @Cummins_Africa #SpotTheCumminsTruck. Fabulous prizes were up for grabs and all lucky winners will be notified by the company. News24, Fin24, FM Online, Business Day Live and the Cummins Africa Facebook page provided direct links to the web page for quick and easy engagement.

“The Cummins Power City to City Tour was a one-of-a-kind in South Africa; providing technical promise underpinned by energy solutions to meet all our clients’ needs.